Cleaning device for medical instrument and method of use

ABSTRACT

A cleaning device includes a flushing chamber having opposite proximal and distal ends, and a length extending between the proximal and distal ends. An inlet port of the cleaning device is in fluid communication with the flushing chamber and configured for fluid connection to a source of fluid. The flushing chamber is selectively openable along its length to an open position, in which the distal end portion of the medical instrument is insertable into the flushing chamber, and selectively closable along its length to a closed position, in which the distal end portion of the medical instrument is enclosed and fluidly sealed within the flushing chamber.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/700,636, filed Sep. 13, 2012, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention relates to a cleaning device for cleaning a medical instrument. More particularly, this invention relates to a cleaning device capable of cleaning residual matter from a distal end portion of a catheter.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Medical instruments, including those used in surgical or intravascular procedures require cleaning to remove matter such as plaque, calcium, blood, tissue, and other luminal debris in an effective, efficient and timely manner. However, some medical devices, including catheters, can be difficult to clean quickly and efficiently because of their size and construction.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Various embodiments of cleaning devices and their methods of use are disclosed. Distinguishing features that may be included in these cleaning devices and methods are described below. It is intended that the cleaning devices and methods may include one or more of these features individually or in combination and it is not intended that the cleaning devices or the methods of use be limited to the specific embodiments described herein.

In one aspect, a cleaning device includes a flushing chamber having opposite proximal and distal ends, and a length extending between the proximal and distal ends. An inlet port of the cleaning device is in fluid communication with the flushing chamber and configured for fluid connection to a source of fluid. The flushing chamber is selectively openable along its length to an open position, in which the distal end portion of the medical instrument is insertable into the flushing chamber, and selectively closable along its length to a closed position, in which the distal end portion of the medical instrument is enclosed and fluidly sealed within the flushing chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective of a first embodiment of a cleaning device for a medical instrument;

FIG. 2 is a perspective of a lower half of the cleaning device of FIG. 1, an upper half of the cleaning device being removed;

FIG. 3 is a perspective of the upper half of the cleaning device of FIG. 1, the lower half of the cleaning device being removed;

FIG. 4 is a perspective of a second embodiment of a cleaning device for a medical instrument;

FIG. 5 is a perspective of a lower half of the cleaning device of FIG. 4, an upper half of the cleaning device being removed;

FIG. 6 is a perspective of the upper half of the cleaning device of FIG. 4, the lower half of the cleaning device being removed;

FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 1, except the medical instrument is shown received in the cleaning device during a cleaning process; and

FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 4, except the medical instrument is shown received in the cleaning device during a cleaning process;

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

DEATILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Described herein are embodiments of a device and method for cleaning and flushing residual matter from a medical device including but not limited to an intraluminal surgical device including a catheter. Although the various embodiments of the cleaning device are described herein for use in cleaning catheters having catheter bodies adapted for intraluminal introduction the devices may also be used to clean other intraluminal surgical devices or other medical devices of a general nature. In other words, it is not intended that the use of the embodiments described herein be limited to cleaning intraluminal catheters. The dimensions and other physical characteristics of the cleaning device may vary significantly depending on the size and/or physical characteristics of the catheter, surgical instrument, or other medical device to be cleaned.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate an embodiment of cleaning device, generally indicated at 10 c. Cleaning device 10 c has lower half 70 coupled to upper half 71 by hinge 72. Hinge 72 is not limiting and could be any suitable structure or system for coupling lower half 70 to upper half 71. Lower half 70 and upper half 71 may be made from any suitable material and may be, for example, made from a rigid thermoplastic material. Lower half 70 and upper half 71 each have a spring seat or depression 73 in handle portion 74 that accepts a spring. Lower half 70 and upper half 71 each have luminal portion 75 that is perpendicular to handle portion 74. During use luminal portions 75 combine to form a flushing chamber or lumen 76 that has inlet cavity 77, outlet cavity 78, seal 79 and stop 80. Lumen 76 may be made from any suitable material and may, for example, be made from silicone or could be a TPR overmold.

Upper half 71 has inlet port 81 coupled to the outer surface of luminal portion 75. Inlet port 81 is connected to inlet cavity 77 of flushing chamber or lumen 76 to allow the flow of a fluid or a gas into the cavity. Upper half 71 may also have outlet port 82 coupled to the outer surface of luminal portion 75. Outlet port 82 is connected to outlet cavity 78 of flushing chamber or lumen 76 to allow the flow of fluid or a gas from the outlet cavity 78 through outlet port 82. Catheter C is inserted into cleaning device 10 c by compressing, pinching or squeezing handle portion 74 of upper half 71 and handle portion 74 of lower half 70 separating luminal portion 75 of upper half 71 from luminal portion 75 of lower half 70. The distal end of catheter C is then placed within flushing chamber 76. The handle portions are then released to allow the spring force to cause the upper half 71 and lower half 70 to enclose the catheter. Luminal portions 75 of the upper half 71 and lower half 70 enclose and seal the distal tip of catheter C within flushing chamber or lumen 76 of cleaning device 10 c.

For catheters C′ having one or more distal openings O positioned at or adjacent the distal end of the catheter the outlet port may be located directly adjacent the distal opening. FIGS. 4-6 illustrate cleaning device 10 d which is substantially similar to cleaning device 10 c except that outlet port 82 is replaced by outlet 83. Outlet 83 is positioned at a distal end of lumen 76. Catheter C′ is inserted into cleaning device 10 d by compressing, pinching or squeezing handle portion 74 of upper half 71 and handle portion 74 of lower half 70 separating luminal portion 75 of upper half 71 from luminal portion 75 of lower half 70. The distal end of catheter C′ is then placed within flushing chamber 76 and the handle portions are released so that luminal portions 75 of the upper half 71 and lower half 70 enclose and seal the distal tip of catheter C′ within flushing chamber or lumen 76 of cleaning device 10 d.

FIG. 7 illustrates a method of using cleaning device 10 c with a catheter C having a side cutting window W and a flush port FP, located proximal of the cutting window. Catheter C is inserted into cleaning device 10 c by compressing, pinching or squeezing handle portion 74 of upper half 71 and handle portion 74 of lower half 70 separating luminal portion 75 of upper half 71 from luminal portion 75 of lower half 70. A distal end of catheter C is inserted into the flushing chamber or lumen 76 and positioned where the cutting window W is located within outlet cavity 78 and the flush port FP is located within inlet cavity 77.

Once catheter C has been inserted cutting window W may be aligned adjacently with outlet port 82 and flush port FP may be adjacently aligned with inlet port 81, although it should be understood that alignment of the openings and the ports are not required so long as fluid entering through the inlet port is caused to flow into the catheter through the flush port and out of the catheter through the cutting window W, as described below. The compression, pinching or squeezing of handle portions 74 of the upper half 71 and lower half 70 is halted and luminal portions 75 of the upper half 71 and lower half 70 enclose the distal tip of catheter C within flushing chamber or lumen 76 of cleaning device 10 c. As the luminal portions 74 enclose the distal tip of catheter C, the elastic material of flush chamber or lumen 76 seals around the outer diameter of the catheter and assists in directing fluid flow through the lumen of catheter C. Seal 79 forms a seal about a proximal portion of the flushing chamber or lumen 76 and stop 80 forms a seal or stop at the distal end of the flush chamber or lumen 76, distal the catheter C.

Fluid F is then inserted into inlet port 81 flowing into the flush port FP of the catheter located within inlet cavity 77 of flush chamber 76, through an interior space in the catheter body and then out of the catheter body through the cutting window W located within outlet cavity 78 of flush chamber 76. The fluid then flows out of the flushing chamber through outlet port 82. Fluid F may be any suitable liquid and may specifically be water or saline. The fluid flow across and through the catheter dislodges and ejects matter such as plaque, calcium, tissue, cellular debris, blood, and other luminal debris from previous catheter use out of the cutting window W of the catheter and through outlet port 82. Fluid F may be caused to flow from the inlet port 81 to the outlet port 82 by introducing the fluid into the inlet port under pressure, by applying a vacuum at the outlet port 82 to create a negative pressure differential between the inlet and outlet ports, or a combination of both. The fluid F flowing through the catheter under pressure and/or suction will remove any unwanted debris or material from the catheter lumen or lumen.

It should also be pointed out that the cleaning device 10 c could also be used with a catheter having a flush port FP which is distal to the cutting window W such as in a catheter having a collection chamber distal to the cutting window. In that case the catheter would be inserted such that the flush port FP is positioned within outlet cavity 78 and cutting window W is positioned within inlet cavity 77. The use is the same except that flow through the catheter is into the cutting window and out of the flush port FP.

FIG. 8 illustrates a method of using cleaning device 10 d with a catheter C′ having a distal opening and a flush port proximal of the distal opening. Such a catheter might include catheters having a cutting element which extends through a distal end of the catheter body and a material collection chamber located between the flush port and the distal end of the catheter. Catheter C′ is inserted into cleaning device 10 d by compressing, pinching or squeezing handle portion 74 of upper half 71 and handle portion 74 of lower half 70 separating luminal portion 75 of upper half 71 from luminal portion 75 of lower half 70. A distal end of catheter C′ is inserted into the flushing chamber or lumen 76 and positioned where distal opening O is located adjacent, proximal or extending through outlet 83 and the flush port FP is located within inlet cavity 77.

Once catheter C′ has been inserted flush port FP may be adjacently aligned with inlet port 81, although it should be understood that alignment of the openings and the ports are not required so long as fluid entering through the inlet port is caused to flow into the catheter through the flush port and out of the catheter through the distal opening O, as described below. The compression, pinching or squeezing of handle portions 74 of the upper half 71 and lower half 70 is halted and luminal portions 75 of the upper half 71 and lower half 70 enclose the distal tip of catheter C within flushing chamber or lumen 76 of cleaning device 10 d. As the luminal portions 74 enclose the distal tip of catheter C′, the elastic material of flush chamber or lumen 76 seals around the outer diameter of the catheter and assists in directing fluid flow through the lumen of catheter C′. Seal 79 forms a seal about a proximal portion of the flushing chamber or lumen 76. Fluid F is then inserted into inlet port 81 and caused to flow from the inlet port into the flush port FP of the catheter, through an interior space in the catheter body and then out of the catheter body through the distal opening O and out of the flushing chamber through outlet 83.

The above description and the drawings are provided for the purpose of describing embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Further, while choices for materials and configurations may have been described above with respect to certain embodiments, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the materials and configurations described are applicable across the embodiments. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A cleaning device for cleaning a medical instrument, the medical instrument having a distal end portion defining an instrument lumen and proximal and distal openings in fluid communication with the instrument lumen, the cleaning device comprising: a flushing chamber having opposite proximal and distal ends, and a length extending between the proximal and distal ends; and an inlet port in fluid communication with the flushing chamber and configured for fluid connection to a source of fluid, wherein the flushing chamber is selectively openable along its length to an open position, in which the distal end portion of the medical instrument is insertable into the flushing chamber, and selectively closable along its length to a closed position, in which the distal end portion of the medical instrument is enclosed and fluidly sealed within the flushing chamber.
 2. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the flushing chamber comprises an upper luminal portion and a lower luminal portion, the upper and lower luminal portions being separated from one another in the open position, and enclosing and fluidly sealing the medical instrument in the closed position.
 3. The cleaning device of claim 2, further comprising an upper half and a lower half are coupled to one another by a hinge, the upper luminal portion being secured to the upper half and the lower luminal portion being secured to the lower half, wherein the lower half and the upper half are pivotable relative to one another about the hinge for opening and closing the flushing chamber.
 4. The cleaning device of claim 3, further comprising a spring secured to the upper and lower halves and biasing the flushing chamber in the closed position.
 5. The cleaning device of claim 2, wherein the upper and lower halves include handle portions for use in pivoting the upper and lower halves relative to one another to open and close the flushing lumen.
 6. The cleaning device of claim 5, wherein the handle portions extend in a direction generally transverse to the length of the flushing chamber.
 7. The cleaning device of claim 6, wherein the handle portions are movable in a direction toward one another to open the flushing lumen, and in a direction away from one another to close the flushing lumen.
 8. The cleaning device of claim 7, wherein the upper and lower handle portions are coupled to one another by a hinge.
 9. The cleaning device of claim 8, further comprising a spring biasing the flushing chamber in the closed position.
 10. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the inlet port is connected to the flushing chamber such that the proximal opening in the distal end portion of the medical instrument is adjacent the inlet port when the distal end portion is enclosed and fluidly sealed in the flushing chamber.
 11. The cleaning device of claim 10, further comprising an outlet port in fluid communication with the flushing chamber.
 12. The cleaning device of claim 11, the outlet port is connected to the flushing chamber such that the distal opening in the distal end portion of the medical instrument is adjacent the outlet port when the distal end portion is enclosed and fluidly sealed in the flushing chamber.
 13. The cleaning device of claim 12, wherein the flushing chamber includes a stop at the distal end of the flushing chamber.
 14. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the flushing chamber includes elastic material configured to seal around an outer diameter of the distal end portion of the medical instrument.
 15. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the flushing chamber includes a seal at the proximal end of the flushing chamber for sealing about an outer diameter of the distal end portion of the medical instrument.
 16. The cleaning device of claim 15, wherein the distal end of the flushing chamber is open.
 17. The cleaning device of claim 1, in combination with the medical instrument having a distal end portion defining an instrument lumen and proximal and distal openings in fluid communication with the instrument lumen, wherein the medical instrument comprises a catheter adapted for intraluminal introduction.
 18. A method of cleaning a medical instrument having a distal end portion defining an instrument lumen, and proximal and distal openings in fluid communication with the instrument lumen, the method comprising: providing a cleaning device including a flushing chamber having opposite proximal and distal ends, and a length extending between the proximal and distal ends, and an inlet port in fluid communication with the flushing chamber and configured for fluid connection to a source of fluid, wherein the flushing chamber is selectively openable and closable along the length of the flushing chamber; opening the flushing chamber; inserting the distal end portion of the medical instrument into the opened flushing chamber; closing the flushing chamber after said inserting the distal end portion, wherein the distal end portion of the medical instrument is enclosed and fluidly sealed within the flushing chamber; introducing fluid into the inlet port of the flushing chamber, after said closing the flushing chamber, to create a pressurized flow of fluid through the proximal port of the flushing chamber, into the proximal opening in the medical instrument, through the instrument lumen of the medical instrument, and out the distal opening in the medical instrument, wherein residual matter from previous usage of the medical instrument is ejected with the fluid flow out through the distal opening in the medical instrument.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein said opening the flushing chamber comprises pivoting upper and lower luminal portions of the flushing chamber away from one another about a hinge.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein said opening the flushing chamber further comprises squeezing together handle portions operatively connected to respective upper and lower luminal portions of the flushing chamber to impart pivoting of the upper and lower luminal portions about the hinge.
 21. The method of claim 18, further comprising directing the fluid with the residual matter ejected from the distal opening of the medical instrument into an outlet port of the flushing device. 